Shay Given is the latest former player to weigh in on whether Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will sign for Chelsea this summer.

Former Newcastle and Aston Villa goalkeeper, Shay Given, reckons that the Ox will of course be tempted by the idea of signing for Chelsea, the main club reportedly interested in the 24-year-old at the moment.

“It’s encouraging that he started both games this season,” Given told Sky Sports [via Express].

“He might be thinking mentally ‘am I getting more game time so I can commit to this long-term contract or am I getting more game time to be in the team’.

“It’s not an ideal situation for Arsenal and all these big game players. He should have been for contact talks 18 months ago.

“I know Chelsea are interested and I think he will be tempted. If he moves he will be going to the champions.

“If a manager signs you for a new club then you’re definitely going to play so he’ll be thinking of all those things and sometimes he hasn’t gone enough game time.”

The debate over whether the Ox should leave or not has Gooners split.

On one hand, while he’s improved over the last season, making 29 Premier League appearances, he still has plenty of areas to improve upon and many don’t believe he should be getting paid £125k-per-week, as rumours suggest he will be if he stays.

ox stoke
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Arsenal at Bet365 Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

They also believe that £35m, which Chelsea are allegedly willing to offer, considering he has under a year left on his current deal, is a bargain, especially when you look at how often the Englishman has been sidelined since signing for Arsenal from Southampton in 2011.

On the other hand, other fans don’t want to sell to a rival and believe he’s been one of Arsenal’s best players so far over the two fixtures the Gunners have played this season.

On Squawka, he’s the club’s highest-rated player so far despite failing to score or assist.

These fans reckon that the club should offer him whatever he wants and that £125k-per-week is pretty much the going rate for a footballer of his age these days.

The Ox might well be tempted to move to Chelsea but if he really wants to do that after all Arsenal have done for him over the last six years then perhaps we should just let him.